Hundreds of vacant posts in Lanarkshire

Almost 700 nursing and midwifery posts are currently vacant in Lanarkshire, according to new figures.

The shocking statistics show how local hospitals are understaffed as the NHS continues to be stretched following the pandemic.

In total, 695 registered nursing posts across NHS Lanarkshire were unfilled as of March 31, which is an incredible increase of 145.9 per cent since the same time last year.

The figures published by NHS Education for Scotland revealed the huge staffing deficit, where it stood at 282 vacant nursing and midwifery posts in March 2021.

The latest data was released a day after RCN (Royal College of Nursing) Scotland published findings from a members’ survey which showed that nine in 10 staff said staffing levels on their last shift were not sufficient to meet the needs of patients across the board.

Almost 70 per cent said that they felt patient care was compromised due to staffing levels.

Nursing leaders say it’s a cause for concern as they worry about the effect on both staff and patients.

Speaking about the report in her speech to RCN members last week, RCN general secretary and chief executive, Pat Cullen, said: “Our new report lays bare the state of health and care services across the UK.

“It shows the shortages that force you to go even more than the extra mile and that, when the shortages are greatest, you are forced to leave patient care undone. Don’t ever think that it is normal to not have enough staff to meet the needs of patients. It is not.

“Today, members are letting the full truth be known – nursing is saying loud and clear that enough is enough.

“If there was ever a time to break this cycle – it is now.”

Lanarkshire MSP Monica Lennon is also calling for action on the staffing crisis.

She told the Advertiser: “Our nurses and midwives are the lifeblood of the NHS and it is appalling that so many feel they are not able to care for patients properly due to staff shortages.”

The Scottish Labour and Co-operative representative spoke after the statistics were released.

NHS Lanarkshire’s 695 vacant nursing and midwifery posts equate to around 10 per cent of all posts.

Across Scotland, 4605 registered nursing posts were unfilled as of March 31, up from 4500 at the end of 2021.

Ms Lennon added: “Unfortunately, the news that NHS Lanarkshire alone has almost 700 vacant nursing and midwifery posts comes as no surprise.

“The SNP has sleepwalked into a nursing workforce crisis, and staff must feel they are working with one hand tied behind their back on our hospital wards.

“Staff – who stood on the frontline in the battle with Covid-19 – and patients deserve better.

“It’s time the government took real action to fill these posts.”

Stressful Local hospitals are understaffed as the NHS continues to be stretched